AC Assetto Corsa - AC Skins Guide (and FileShare Location)

Guys, I thought it might be worthwhile creating a new thread purely for discussion and posting of new skins.
Below is the FileShare account I have setup for us to share our skins with each other (so we can use them during online multiplay)

Please remember that in order for your skin to be seen by everyone on-track, each person must have your skin loaded onto "their" PC.
Those that do not have your specific skin installed will only see a white car on-track.

To share our skins there are two links you will need to use.
(1) FileDrop Link: (for uploading only)
http://www.mediafire.com/filedrop/filedrop_hosted.php?drop=144d0b49a51b885441134abcfdc499a5d3e7880d595c6d821051e51825031a60

This link can be used to upload your ZIP files to our account, so we can all access them for download.
Please be sure to ZIP your entire skin folder before uploading (don't try and upload the folder directly, it will need to be put into a Zip file). If you're not sure how to ZIP a file just ask.
Also, please remove any Photoshop templates from your folder prior to zipping as these will just make the upload/download files larger than they need to be.

All you need to do is click the link above and then at the prompt click on Select Files, which will allow you to browse for the ZIP file on your PC that you wish to upload.
Once selected click OK and then select Start Uploading Files. This will send your chosen ZIP file to the shared AC Skins folder online.
Once the upload has completed you can then choose to upload another file or simply close your web browser and you're done uploading.
You can only upload one ZIP file at a time (as this is just using the free license).

(2) AC Skins Folder Link: (for downloading only)
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/xvuq1wmpd1nca/AC_Skins

From this link you will be able to access the shared folder named "AC Skins", where we are all uploading our skins to.
Simply tick the file you wish to download and then select "download" and it will prepare a new webpage where you can choose to Download the file (click on the large green button). Once selected the download will begin and it will be saved to the default location your browser saves your files to (typically into your generic Downloads folder).

Once you have downloaded the ZIP file you will need to extract it into the appropriate skins folder relevant to the car.
This location will likely be C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\assettocorsa\content\cars\abarth500\skins, (in this example this is the skins folder for the Abarth 500 car.

Once extracted you should be able to go into the showroom within AC and open that car and toggle through the various skins where you should see the one you just downloaded. If it displays correctly in the showroom it will work fine in-game.

For those that upload updated skins can I suggest we work on a naming convention to keep it easy to keep track of?
Perhaps something like [car]_[skin name]_[version number]
eg. C6R_BlackWidowRacing_v101

This way if we make a change and upload the new one we can quickly distinguish between newest versions and if need be I can delete old versions from the shared folder. If you have any other suggestions let us know.....

Otherwise, feel free to use this thread to post all comments regarding skins for AC

Mods: perhaps this can be pinned?

Hey guys I thought I'd pack a dozen C6r skins into a zip folder, it includes the custom skins for the up coming C6R Oz series, so if you join us at any point you will see our Rooz skins designed by DoogleDave, and have a nice skin to race in.
Download --> Corvette-C6R_skinpak
EDIT: Download fixed
Cheers

@AJ.Scott , I think you may have linked to the wrong file.
The Corvette-C6R_Skinpak link above downloads the GT3_Skinpak instead.

If you want to upload the C6R skinpak to the "shared" Mediafire folder in the OP feel free to do so (you dont need an account and this will keep all the skins together for anyone looking for them).
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/xvuq1wmpd1nca/AC_Skins

@DoogleDave Thanks for the tip Dave, I have fixed the D/L
If I upload anymore skins I will up them to the Mediafire acc

Cheers

Cheers AJ. I uploaded your C6R skinpak to the Mediafire shared folder also

LOL, It sure is.....



If you follow the wireframe you can try and warp your graphics to suit the body shape (but it is a bit of a trial and error thing (and quite tedious).

I almost enjoy making the damn skins more than playing the game

And it's MUCH easier if you name your layers.
The default ones will be things like:
- the base colour

- the occlusion layer (which is a mask to ignore anything outside the wireframe area)
This can be handy if you wish to leave notes.
I usually write "this side up" on mine because I am constantly rotating my skin around and if you don't put it back to its correct orientation before saving your file - well you'll see what happens when you load the skin in-game

- the wireframe (which shows the body shape/contours), which you can use to help "warp" your graphics/text to follow the shape of the body panels.....this makes sense once you get the hang of it

I generally leave all these layers in my skin template and just hide them if I don't want to see them.
I then create a new layer for the body colour (and make sure it is ABOVE the default body colour layer.
In this new layer you are free to add whatever colour (and or gradient) which will show up as your new body colour (and as long as your occlusion layer is ABOVE your new body colour layer, the occlusion will mask out all the black area outside the body panels.

I then add my graphics and/or text that live ABOVE the new body colour.
I am also in the habit of creating layers per panel (one for each side of the car, one for the bonnet, one for the roof, another for the wing, etc etc.)
By doing so (and having each layer NAMED accordingly), it is easy to move around the skin and add/change stuff - keeping in mind the layer order that needs to occur so everything can be seen (remember, just like in real-life the paint lives UNDERNEATH any text or graphics on the car).
Also, having a layer per panel also helps if you have others asking you to make a skin for them, as once your template is setup it is a pretty quick process to change numbers/text etc).

Lastly (and I make this mistake ALL THE DAMN TIME, LOL), remember to HIDE your wireframe BEFORE saving your .DDS file....otherwise your skin will show the wireframe over your car in-game.

Other than this the rest just comes down to your fluency in Photoshop and your creativity.
Hope this helps....

For anyone interested in learning the process, THIS is well worth reading.

This is how I learnt to do my skin packs

And great point Koastr, some cars don't have the wireframe and/or occlusion layer.
In this case you can either make your own mask or just create new layers above and add your own colours, graphics and text that way.
It just takes a little more trial and error when you don't have the wireframe to work from.

Also worth noting that might be helpful. You can actually run the AC showroom without loading the game (it will load the last car shown in the showroom) and from within the showroom you can then toggle through the available skins.

This makes life much easier if going back and forth (and its even easier if you're lucky enough to have dual-monitors (showroom on one and photoshop/windows explorer opened on the other).

Just find the acShowroom.exe file which should be in the main AC folder inside your install location.
I created a shortcut to it on my desktop so I can run it whenever I like.
Remember the car needs to be loaded into the showroom once from within the game, then you can close the game and just keep running acShowroom.exe to view edits to your skin. (N.B. you need to close and re-run the showroom each time you re-save a change to your skin, for it to load properly).

My simple KTM skin for round 2 is uploaded

Nice skin Tovey!
Mine is also uploaded now.

HERE is the link to the folder....

how do i upload my skin do that directory?

Updated my skin for the Ferrari 458 - downloadable here http://www.mediafire.com/download/uqb3acttteif634/rotor_458_s3.zip